Sporting KC begins to hit its preseason stride

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the third minute of Sporting Kansas City’s preseason opener Saturday, a game that manager Peter Vermes’ team would rally to win 2-1. That goal seemed to jolt Sporting KC back to reality. After all, the regular-season opener March 10 at D.C. United is barely a month away.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the third minute of Sporting Kansas City’s preseason opener Saturday, a game that manager Peter Vermes’

team would rally to win 2-1.

That goal seemed to jolt Sporting KC back to reality. After all, the regular-season opener March 10 at D.C. United is barely a month away.

“Once we played that first game, everyone realized it’s go time,” Sporting KC’s

Matt Besler

. “It wasn’t a perfect game. We played pretty well, but everybody made some mistakes. Once we played that first game, it really hit home that we’ve got to get focused in on that opener.”

So far, reports from Sporting KC training camp in Tucson, Ariz., indicate that all systems are go — aside from that early game hiccup, of course.

“The facilities are very good and the players’ attitude and commitment is excellent,” Vermes said. “Each and every day, we’re getting closer to form. From that point of view, it’s actually been a pleasure being down here.”

Physically, the returning players are in top form and those new to the club, particularly

Paulo Nagamura and Bobby Convey

along with Sporting KC’s draft picks, are rapidly catching up.

There is no catching up needed from a chemistry standpoint.

“The chemistry of the group is very good, and not just on the field but off the field as well,” Vermes said. “I was surprised to see how quick it came together.”

“A lot of us are in the same position. We all really want to win and it’s something we haven’t done as a group yet,” Besler said. “We’re hungry and we realize this could be a really special team. We all want to be a part of it.”